Oregon and Washington fishery managers are liberalizing the bag limit for adult salmon on the Columbia River. Beginning Thursday, the daily adult bag limit of two salmon may include up to two Chinook.  The change applies to the ongoing recreational fishery open through Dec. 31 in the Columbia River from Buoy 10 to the Highway 395 Bridge near Pasco, WA.  All coho retained downstream of the Hood River Bridge must be hatchery-origin.  All other regulations remain in effect including those specific to retention of jacks, previously adopted steelhead retention closures and bag limits, and the use of barbless hooks only.  For the latest on Columbia River regulations, visit myodfw.com.

North Central Public Health District Heath Officer Dr. Mimi McDonell confirmed Wednesday a fourth death resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak at Flagstone Senior Living in The Dalles.  It is the seventh confirmed COVID fatality in Wasco County since the pandemic began.  McDonell says there have been a total of 48 COVID cases linked to the outbreak that started with a positive test on September 13, involving facility residents, staff, and household contacts of the staff.  McDonell said it is tough to tell if they will have more cases result from this outbreak, even though she does not expect to see large numbers of them.  She adds the outbreak underlines how contagious COVID-19 can be.  McDonell says this outbreak also illustrates the need for people to follow quarantine instructions when they are involved in a COVID case, even if they don’t have symptoms.  She also recognized workers at Flagstone and with Hearts of Hospice that are working long hours to deal with impacts of the outbreak.

North Central Public Health District confirmed today two deaths resulting from the COVID-19 outbreak at Flagstone Senior Living.  They are the fourth and fifth confirmed COVID fatalities in Wasco County since the pandemic began, and the first in a number of weeks.  There have been a total of nine COVID-19-related deaths in Mid-Columbia counties.  Last week, the District said there had been 30 positive COVID-19 cases at Flagstone.  There has been no update issued on whether any more cases have been found related to that facility.

Hood River City Manager Rachael Fuller told Councilors on Monday evening she will allow the City’s COVID-19 emergency declaration in place since March to expire on Wednesday rather than renewing it.  While emphasizing COVID remains a crisis in the community, she doesn’t believe the powers in the declaration are necessary at this point.  She explains if issues come up, City Council can deal with them under their standard procedures.  City officials noted Children’s Park remains closed at the recommendation of the Hood River County Health Department.

The Dalles City Council’s public comment period Monday evening focused on homeless issues after a couple of property owners who live near the St. Vincent DePaul Community Meals site complained about problems they say they have endured for a long period of time as a result of the behavior of some of those who go to the site.  Many who spoke asked the Council to take some kind of action to deal with homelessness.  Mayor Rich Mays said he has thought about appointing a blue ribbon committee, but has held off as other efforts have been underway.  He said if he doesn’t see progress he’ll consider putting that group together.  Councilor Darcy Long-Curtiss later noted she has been working with homeless shelter groups in The Dalles and Hood River to acquire portable shelters, but they need a piece of land to put them on.  Long-Curtiss said it would be highly structured with rules and regulations, and would be connected with services.

Oregon Health Authority statistics on Tuesday added no new COVID-19 cases in Mid-Columbia counties.  Wasco County remains at 296 total cases for the pandemic, with 203 recovered based on a metric of 30 days from the onset of the disease plus being in stable medical condition.  Hood River County is at 254 total cases, with 242 released from isolation.  The OHA says the state has 299 new confirmed or presumed COVID cases in its Tuesday report, which moves Oregon’s pandemic total to 33,291.  Eight deaths that occurred between August 18 and Sunday were reported, moving that number to 555.  The two deaths reported Tuesday in Wasco County by the North Central Public Health District were not included in that total.  Skamania County reported one new case for the second straight day on Tuesday, moving its pandemic total to 65, with five currently active cases.  Klickitat County has now gone six days without a new COVID case, and only one is active.  The County’s pandemic total is 205.  The Washington Department of Health listed 369 new cases on Monday in its latest update since Saturday to move the pandemic total to 86,638 cases, with no new deaths to remain at 2,100.

After nearly 90 minutes of discussion, Hood River City Councilors voted 4-2 to go out for a request for proposal for a preliminary design and cost estimate for a police facility that would also include space for the Columbia Gorge Children’s Advocacy Center and a parking garage on the Columbia Street parking lot, and a preliminary analysis of a joint public safety facility with Hood River County if a cost-sharing agreement can be reached with the County.  The decision came after some on the Council expressed their misgivings with using the Columbia lot for the facility, and whether it is compatible with the surrounding area.  Mayor Kate McBride emphasized this doesn’t mean they would go ahead with the project.  City officials have eyed finalizing a plan for a new police facility to coincide with the 2022 retiring of the bonds that were used to build the municipal fire station.

The City of the Dalles is starting a pilot program to rehabilitate deteriorated sidewalks.  City Code designates the property owner as the responsible party for keeping sidewalks next to their properties in good repair and a safe condition.  The 50/50 Sidewalk Rehabilitation Pilot Program will provide some financial assistance to property owners to meet that responsibility.  The City will consider applications for the rehabilitation or replacement of existing sidewalks, focusing on sidewalks located in residential areas within the city limits.  Applicants for this program must be the property owner.  The City will accept applications until November 18, then they will be prioritized within the limited funding.  The homeowner must pay for half of the cost of sidewalk rehabilitation before the project can be scheduled.  Homeowners can download an application from the City website at thedalles.org/publicworksdocs, or call 541-296-5401 to ask for a paper copy.

Skyline Health will be asking voters in Klickitat County Hospital District #2 to raise its maintenance and operations property tax levy from 30 cents per thousand dollars of assessed value to 68 cents.  A similar measure failed one year ago.  Skyline CEO Robb Kimmes said the district board realizes that’s a big jump, but also did not want to go back to the voters in five to ten years.  Kimmes adds the COVID-19 pandemic shed a light on the financial challenges of rural hospitals.  The funds will be used to replace and upgrade medical equipment, maintain and improve facilities and infrastructure, and add new services as needed by the community.  The measure will be on the November general election ballot.

Drive-thru or walk-up COVID-19 testing is scheduled for Cascade Locks, Parkdale, and Hood River this week.  The testing events put on by the Hood River County Health Department and operated by Medical Teams International will be Tuesday at the Cascade Locks Marine Park Pavilion, Wednesday at Parkdale Elementary School, and Thursday at River of Life Assembly on 979 Tucker Road in Hood River.  Hours for all three days are from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  No appointment is needed, and you should bring a form of identification and medical insurance card if you have them.